OKC Thunder: Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams lead a back line of rim protection that's key to OKC's success

In the first half of the first quarter of his first game back from a calf injury, Serge Ibaka rose up and tossed away a Tim Duncan short hook.

Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) defends as San Antonio's Tony Parker (9) shoots during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

But the ball went right back to the Spurs, who swung it around the perimeter and found Danny Green with an open lane to the hoop. Green drove into the teeth of OKC’s defense, spotted Ibaka closing and errantly flung a moonshot finger roll that clanged off the backboard and the side rim.

And with its defensive anchor back in the fold, the Thunder was able to unleash its scariest and most overlooked team-wide skill — interior basket protection.

In sports, offense typically garners the most attention. With the Thunder’s personnel, that’s particularly true.

Russell Westbrook is a whirlwind attacker and a nightmare to plan against. Kevin Durant is as silky as they’ve ever come, a near 7-footer blessed with a dead-eye jumper and the handle of a shooting guard. But on those rainy offensive days — when Westbrook is out of control or Durant is struggling to find his rhythm — this team’s fallback has always been its underrated defense.

And that is fueled by a back line that acts like a brick wall.

Ibaka is the best shot-blocker in the league. But the Thunder’s roster is filled with other capable goaltenders who are unafraid to challenge at the rim.

In these playoffs, Ibaka’s 36 blocks are the most in the league. DeAndre Jordan’s 33 rank second. Entering Wednesday, Thunder rookie reserve Steven Adams was tied with Pacers starting center Roy Hibbert for third with 24, an amazing number considering the disparity in court time.

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by Anthony Slater

Thunder Beat Writer

Anthony Slater started on the Thunder beat in the summer of 2013, joining after two years as NewsOK.com's lead sports blogger and web editor. A native Californian, Slater attended Sonoma State for two years before transferring to Oklahoma State in...